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The End of the Beginning

The End of the Beginning. The Book of Malachi. The Book of Malachi. The Book of Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament. The Book of Malachi is one of the Minor Prophetic books.

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The End of the Beginning

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  1. The End of the Beginning The Book of Malachi

  2. The Book of Malachi The Book of Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament. The Book of Malachi is one of the Minor Prophetic books. The Book of Malachi reviews Israel’s track record with God, highlighting the sins that have haunted them since the days of Moses. The Book of Malachi also points towards how things will change for the better with the coming Messiah.

  3. The Prophet Malachi Not much is known about the prophet Malachi—except that he probably came from a priestly background. He was a contemporary of Nehemiah and Ezra His name means “my messenger”. He is the last prophet to speak to Israel until John the Baptist some 400 years later. Their messages are similar as they both focused on telling the people to prepare for the coming of the Lord.

  4. Malachi’s Context Malachi spoke to the people still not satisfied with their return home to Judah. Many people were still discouraged by their identity as a poor, remote part of the Persian empire. Cynical and self-absorbed, they began to doubt God’s love and power. They started to mock the promise of future hope spoken long ago by prophets like Isaiah.

  5. Cynicism Is Contagious Religious leaders got depressed too. They started to fail in providing spiritual and moral leadership. Worship began lackadaisical and empty. Blemished sacrifices were offered… …Why was this bad? Communal life slowly became corrupt and immoral. Do you think this was connected to what happened to Israel’s worship?

  6. Malachi’s Message Malachi’s goal was that the people recognize the error of their ways, rediscover God’s requirements and live according to God’s law. Again and again, he assured the people that evil does not escape God’s judgment. Malachi also sought to reaffirm God’s reliability and covenant faithfulness. He repeatedly connected this to the people’s repentance. In other words, you have to open a gift in order to receive a gift. The book ends with a note of longing for the coming Messiah.

  7. Malachi’s Style Malachi’s style is blunt and sarcastic. He uses vivid images and rhetorical questions. Have you ever had your mouth washed out with soap for using bad language? Malachi is distinctive for using an argumentative teaching style known as disputation. The pattern of a disputation is: STATEMENT – QUESTION - EXPLANATION

  8. An Example of DisputationFrom Malachi 1:2 - 5 God’s Statement: I have always loved you. People’s Question: How have you loved us? God’s Explanation: I showed you my love when I saved you from your enemies. I will remain opposed to evil. You will see and honor my great work in the world. Meaning: Even though we experience hard times, God’s love encourages us to trust his unfailing care for his people.

  9. Malachi 1:6 - 14 God’s Statement: If a son honors his father and a servant his master, why won’t you honor me? People’s Question: How have we shown contempt for your name? How have we dishonored you? God’s Explanation: You dishonored me by sacrificing crippled animals that you wouldn’t dare offer to the governor. Close the temple and stop offering sacrifices if you won’t change your ways.

  10. The Meaning of Malachi 1:6 - 14 We are sometimes tempted to offer God less than our best and less than our whole hearts. We forget God’s awesome power and majesty.

  11. Malachi 2:1 - 9 God’s Statement: The priests have failed to set their heats to honor my name. Your festivals will be dishonored. People’s Question: (Implied) How have we failed you? God’s Explanation: The priests violated the covenant requirements and failed to teach the people in the knowledge of me. They caused the people to stumble and go astray.

  12. The Meaning of Malachi 2:1 - 9 It is especially important for religious leaders to faithfully convey the truth of God.

  13. Malachi 2:17 – 3:5 God’s Statement: I’m tired of hearing the people say that I don’t care about what you say or do. People’s Question: How have we frustrated you? God’s Explanation: I’m frustrated by the actions that show your contempt for the law. I’ll purify you with fire and soap and clean you up so that you are fit to bring God the offering of your lives.

  14. The Meaning of Malachi 2:17 – 3:5 In spite of all the times we sin, God continues to work with us and wants to make our hearts a place where he can live.

  15. Malachi 3:6 - 12 God’s Statement: My faithfulness to my covenant never changes, but you keep turning away. Come back to me. People’s Question: How can we return to you? How do we rob you? God’s Explanation: You turned away from me by refusing to pay the tithe you owe. You rob me when you rob the widows, orphans, Levites, and the aliens who depend on the tithe that belongs to God. I’ll bless you abundantly if you pay your whole tithe.

  16. The Meaning of Malachi 3:6 - 12 Generosity and commitment are the marks of God’s people.

  17. Malachi 3:13 – 4:3 God’s Statement: You have spoken harshly against me. People’s Question: What have we said against you? God’s Explanation: You have said that it is futile to serve me and that the only people who thrive are the arrogant and the evildoers. You say that I don’t care. I’ll spare those who feared and honored my name but will judge evildoers.

  18. The Meaning of Malachi 3:13 – 4:3 God hears and knows our struggles and promises to remember all the times that we remain faithful.

  19. Malachi’s Disputations The first and last disputations focus on God’s love for the faithful and his judgment of evildoers. The second and third disputations address the sins of the priestly leaders. The fourth, fifth and sixth disputations speak to the sins of the people.

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